Gisele Wertheim-Aymes

Too clever by far

Gisèle Wertheim Aymés has worked in the media industry in South Africa for over two decades. She is a director of a medical company, owner and publishing editor of Longevity Media (www.longevitymag.co.za) and a shareholder in Stuff Group SA, publishers of Stuff (www.Stuff.co.za) - the world's best-selling gadget magazine. Email her at az.oc.gamytivegnol@elesig and follow her on Twitter at @giselewaymes.

Gisèle's media career spans a broad range of experience, from editorial, marketing, publishing, finance and advertising sales to media innovation and strategy.

Her career highlights include recognition as the leading Media Personality of the Year in 1992 and winner of the International Press Distribution Awards for best International magazine launch for Elle, as well as over 30 local awards for magazine publishing excellence. She was elected chairperson of the Magazine Publisher's Association of South Africa between 2003-2005.

During her media career, she has launched and relaunched more than 10 magazine titles and was responsible for several new newspaper projects, as GM advertising strategy and sales and then GM innovation, at Avusa, including being a member of the strategic planning team for The Times, the Sunday Times' first daily digital interactive newspaper.

In 2008, she joined First National Bank as head of media and led a team which developed social media properties such as www.howcanwehelpyou.co.za and on Twitter. Gisèle left FNB in 2010 to participate in her family's business interests, where she holds board positions. She purchased Longevity Magazine (www.longevitymagazine.co.za) from Avusa in 2010 and in 2012 became a shareholder in Stuff Group SA, publishers of Stuff (www.Stuff.co.za) - the world's best-selling gadget magazine.

Email her at az.oc.gamytivegnol@elesig and follow her on Twitter at @giselewaymes.

I was sad to leave Cannes yesterday, Thursday, 25 June 2009, because each year for a few days in my hectic life schedule I get to sit and listen and marvel at the amazing innovation that is shaping our advertising, media and communications.

Yesterday, Tuesday, 23 June 2009, confirmed that collaboration is key to communication success. Current market conditions and the growing influence of social media and participatory culture requires all of us – agencies, marketers, media houses/owners and the rest – to humble down and collaborate. Clients are also going to have to take the lead and look at new models of remuneration to encourage and reward a more collaborative approach to their business.

Well, I'm back in Cannes. One year later and ready to learn some more. Just arrived and went straight to a session with one of Twitter's founders, Biz Stone (@biz). The Debussy Hall was packed wall-to-wall and floor-to-floor and the place was tweeting so much I was sure at one point I felt the room vibrating.